Minutes National Council

Date Wednesday 21st March 2018 Time 13:00 – 16:00 Location The Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ

Present Sir Nicholas Serota CH Chair of the Arts Council Maria Balshaw CBE National Council Member (Items 9 – 13) Ciara Eastell OBE National Council Member Sukhy Johal MBE Midlands Area Chair David Joseph CBE National Council Member Andrew Miller National Council Member George Mpanga National Council Member Elisabeth Murdoch National Council Member Paul Roberts OBE National Council Member Tessa Ross CBE National Council Member Veronica Wadley CBE London Area Chair Kate Willard North Area Chair

Apologies Roni Brown South East Chair Dame Rosemary Squire DBE South West Area Chair Francis Runacres Executive Director, Enterprise and Innovation

Also Darren Henley OBE Chief Executive Present: Laura Dyer Deputy Chief Executive, Places and Engagement Simon Mellor Deputy Chief Executive, Arts and Culture Richard Russell Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Bushell Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer Mags Patten Executive Director, Communication and Public Policy Ruth Alaile Director Governance and Planning Jane Dawson Director, Funding Programmes (Item 5) Peter Heslip Director, Visual Arts (Item 8) Jill Constantine Head, Arts Council Collection (Item 8) David Bryant Senior Governance Officer (minutes)

Action 1. 2. 3. 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

3.1 1.1 Sir Nicholas Serota welcomed council members and Executive Board to the 3.2 meeting.

1.2 It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Roni 3.3 Brown, Rosemary Squire and Francis Runacres.

1.3 The Chair welcomed Ciara Eastell to her first National Council meeting.

2. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

2.1 National Council members reviewed their register of interests. Council members were asked to declare any connection or relationship that they had with any organisation or item due to be discussed at the meeting.

2.2 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………

[Information has been withheld here in line with the requirements of section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – prejudice to commercial interests. A public authority is entitled to withhold information under this provision where disclosure of that information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of any persons or organisations, including the Arts Council itself.]

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 7 FEBRUARY 2018

3.1 The minutes were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting.

3.2 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3.1 [Information has been withheld here in line with the requirements of section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – information intended for future publication. Under section 22 we are entitled to withhold information until the intended publication date as

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long as there is a clear intention to publish the details in the future, and where it is reasonable in all the circumstances to maintain the original timetable for publication.]

4. CHAIR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT

4.1 National Council reviewed the Chair and Chief Executive’s Report. The Chair discussed the possibility of a Government spending review in 2019 and how the Arts Council ought to prepare for it.

4.2 Members were also informed that the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) are presently undertaking a project examining barriers and challenges around opportunities and progression for young people in music. A study report will be published later this year.

4.3 National Council also noted the recent discussions with DCMS over libraries and the library taskforce.

5. 2018-22 NATIONAL PORTFOLIO FUNDING AGREEMENTS

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[Information has been withheld here in line with the requirements of section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – prejudice to commercial interests. A public authority is entitled to withhold information under this provision where disclosure of that information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of any persons or organisations, including the Arts Council itself.]

5.1 Jane Dawson introduced this item which updated National Council on the progress made in reviewing business plans and developing funding agreements for those organisations in receipt of conditional offers for the 2018-22 portfolio.

5.2 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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[Information has been withheld here in line with the requirements of section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – prejudice to commercial interests. A public authority is entitled to withhold information under this provision where disclosure of that information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of any persons or organisations, including the Arts Council itself.]

5.3 National Council were provided with an overview of organisations who will now not be joining the portfolio. ………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………….

[Information has been withheld here in line with the requirements of section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – prejudice to commercial interests. A public authority is entitled to withhold information under this provision where disclosure of that information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of any persons or organisations, including the Arts Council itself.]

5.4 National Council approved the proposal to reprofile the NPO grant allocations for the Southbank Centre and Manchester International Festival (MIF), noting that this did not impact on overall budget profile of the portfolio.

5.5 As a result of the above, Executive Board agreed that the 2018-22 investment should be reprofiled, increasing the 2018/19 proportion of the total offer by £500,000 with £250,000 less confirmed in 2019/20 and 2020/21.

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5.6 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Information has been withheld here in line with the requirements of section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – prejudice to commercial interests. A public authority is entitled to withhold information under this provision where disclosure of that information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of any persons or organisations, including the Arts Council itself.]

5.7 National Council AGREED to (a) note the Update; and (b) Agree to the reprofiling of Southbank Centre and Manchester International Festival Funding (c) ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………

[Information has been withheld here in line with the requirements of section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – prejudice to commercial interests. A public authority is entitled to withhold information under this provision where disclosure of that information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of any persons or organisations, including the Arts Council itself.]

6. BRISTOL VISUAL ARTS REVIEW

6.1 Simon Mellor introduced this item which presented the findings of the Bristol Visual Arts Review to National Council and asked National Council to consider and approve the Arts Council’s response.

6.2 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

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[Information has been withheld here in line with the requirements of section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – prejudice to commercial interests. A public authority is entitled to withhold information under this provision where disclosure of that information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of any persons or organisations, including the Arts Council itself.]

The Director of the Henry Moore Foundation, Godfrey Worsdale, and the co-director of Artangel, James Lingwood, were commissioned to lead a review of Visual Arts in Bristol with the following objectives: (a) To deliver a programme of internationally significant visual arts activity (b) To invest in the development of artists based in the greater Bristol region at all career stages (c) To maximise audiences for the visual arts in Bristol (d) To support the development of partnerships and collaborative working (e) To develop a sustainable business model, founded on prudent financial assumptions

6.3 Following the commission, Godfrey Worsdale and James Lingwood undertook a consultation process including artists, audiences, organisations and other interested parties to consider the future of visual arts in Bristol. Arts Council England was asked to work with partners in Bristol to: (a) develop an internationally significant programme of exhibitions, projects and events in Bush House (b) create a collaborative commissioning programme focusing on a broad spectrum of commission formats, locations, participants and audiences in an annual or biennial event (c) deliver a package of professional development opportunities to support artists at all career stages.

6.4 In response to their findings, Arts Council England will work with Bush House to develop a series of exhibitions, projects and events as suggested. A collaborative commissioning programme to provide opportunities for the West of England to strengthen its local, national and international offer as a visual arts destination will also be delivered, with the purpose of growing audiences. Further scoping for this will be led by the Arts Council, but will also involve engagement with other interested parties in the region.

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6.5 A package of professional development opportunities as proposed will require additional investment from the Area funds, which is being explored.

6.6 National Council were informed that the South West Area Council have also read and discussed our response to the report, and have agreed our proposals.

6.7 National Council AGREED to: (a) Note the findings of the Bristol Visual Arts Review Report and Recommendations (b) Approve the Arts Council’s response to the Review Report (c) ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………..

[Information has been withheld here in line with the requirements of section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – prejudice to commercial interests. A public authority is entitled to withhold information under this provision where disclosure of that information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of any persons or organisations, including the Arts Council itself.]

6.8 Members also asked for their gratitude to Geoffrey and James for undertaking the review to be passed on.

7. DCMS/ ARTS COUNCIL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT 2016- 2020

7.1 Ruth Alaile introduced this item which asked National Council to review and approve the draft Management Agreement with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

7.2 National Council were informed that the Management Agreement between the Arts Council and DCMS sets out their formal relationship, outlining: a) the Government’s expectations of the Arts Council b) the key performance indicators agreed with the department c) spending controls and our financial delegated authority limits d) reporting requirements; and e) the Government’s expectations of the chair, trustees and accounting officer.

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7.3 Ordinarily, the management agreement between DCMS and Arts Council England would be updated following each spending review settlement. However, while the Arts Council’s draft management agreement was ‘approved in principle’ in 2016, the final sign-off of the document was delayed until the completion of the Tailored Review.

7.4 National Council discussed the contents of the management agreement and noted the agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

7.5 National Council AGREED to a) Give in principle agreement to the draft Management Agreement with DCMS b) Delegate authority to the Chair of National Council to approve and sign off the final version of the Management Agreement following approval by the Secretary of State.

8. ARTS COUNCIL COLLECTION UPDATE

[Peter Heslip and Jill Constantine joined the meeting]

8.1 Peter Heslip introduced this item which provided National Council, as trustees of the Arts Council Collection, an update on its activities.

8.2 National Council were informed that the collection was formed in 1946 by the Arts Council for the purpose of promoting and enriching the nation’s knowledge and appreciation of contemporary art, and has become one of the largest loan collections of modern and contemporary British art in the world. It has also provided valuable exposure for a number of emerging artists.

8.3 Members were updated on its activities, including the 2016 launch of the National Partners Programme, which marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the collection. Four regional galleries were awarded three-year grants to act as year-round homes for the collection, namely Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Trust, Towner Art Gallery (Eastbourne), Walker Art Gallery (Liverpool) and Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP). The six months of programming had reached 362k visitors and had acted as a high- quality source of artistic material.

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8.4 National Council also noted that the loans to exhibitions programme in 2016-17 reached 1,110,715 visitors in the UK and 674,806 visitors abroad. A pilot programme is also taking place in the South East with libraries and theatres.

8.5 Members asked whether additional steps had been considered to bolster the public visibility of the collection or create additional funds to spend on further assets. They were told that further ideas would be explored for the 75th anniversary of the collection.

8.6 National Council congratulated Maria Balshaw on the excellent work she had delivered during her tenure as Chair of the Acquisitions Committee.

8.7 National Council noted the progress made against plans and that from 1 April 2018 Sir Nicholas Serota will chair the Acquisitions Committee.

(Maria Balshaw joined the meeting)

9. CORPORATE PLAN 2018-20

9.1 Ruth Alaile introduced this item which presented the Arts Council’s draft 9.1 Corporate Plan for 2018-20. Members were informed that the corporate plan is a medium-term plan which Arts Council England is required to produce under the terms of our Management Agreement with DCMS. It sits between the ten-year strategy and the annual operational plans.

9.2 Members were informed that the plan shows how Arts Council England have identified the following key priorities for 2018-20: a) Promoting equality and diversity b) Shaping our next ten-year strategy c) Developing a culture of enterprise and innovation in the sector d) Adding value to places through arts and cultural investment e) Making the case for arts, museums and libraries as we prepare for the next spending review f) Promoting the use of data and new technologies.

9.3 National Council also discussed the equality analysis accompanying the corporate plan.

9.4 National Council AGREED to:

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a) Note the conclusions of the equality analysis carried out on the corporate plan b) Approve the plan in principle and agree to delegate authority to the Chair to sign off the plan following comments from the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport.

10. REVIEW OF THE SCHEME OF DELEGATED FINANCIAL AUTHORITY

10.1 David Bryant introduced this item which asked National Council to review and approve amendments to the Arts Council’s Scheme of Delegated Authority.

10.2 National Council were informed about a number of changes to the scheme, which included changes to grant decision making, a new framework for property decision making, and changes to the Use of Seal policy. Members acknowledged that no changes were proposed to their level of authority on either NPO decision making or large capital decisions.

10.3 Members asked whether the revised scheme would allow Executive Board to make major changes to any of the budgets without consulting with National Council first. They were told that National Council’s opinions would be sought in any such instances, as was the case under the previous scheme of delegation.

10.4 National Council AGREED the revised Scheme of Delegated Authority.

11. AREA COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS

11.1 David Bryant introduced this item which asked National Council to approve 3 appointments to Midlands Area Council and the extensions to the terms of 4 members of North Area Council.

11.2 National Council AGREED to a) appoint Pawlet Brookes, Gary Topp and Ayub Khan to Midlands Area Council for a four year term from 21st March 2018 to 31st March 2022 b) Reappoint Lee Corner, Jo Verrent, Mick Henry and Sarah Stewart to North Area Council until 31st August 2019.

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12. REPORT FROM THE PERFORMANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE

12.1 Paul Roberts introduced this item, which provided an overview of the meeting of the Performance and Audit Committee held on 22 January 2018.

12.2 National Council noted that Performance and Audit Committee had discussed the forthcoming external audit plans and had agreed their approach and focus.

12.3 National Council noted the report and thanked members of Performance and Audit Committee for their work on its behalf.

12.4 National Council NOTED the contents of the update.

13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

13.1 The Chair noted that this would be Maria Balshaw’s last National Council meeting, and offered his appreciation for her contributions over the last four years, which have had a powerful impact on the Arts Council’s work. He added that she had brought with her a great breadth of vision, and had acted as an exceptional Chair of the Arts Council Collection’s Acquisitions Committee. National Council members also passed on their thanks.

The meeting closed at 4:00pm.

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